Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2008-09: Brandon Kozun erupted for 40 goals and 108 points in 72 games in his second full season with Calgary of the WHL, good for second overall in scoring. Was named WHL Player of the Month for the month of December where he would record 19 points in 12 games. A model of consistency, Kozun would score more than three points in a game only three times all season despite racking up 108 points.

2009-10: Kozun capped a prolific junior year thus far by posting 32 goals and 75 assists in only 65 regular season games. He also managed 8 goals and 22 assists in 23 playoff matches. He also posted 3 goals and 4 assists for Canada in the U20 tournament. When he was finished with his season, Kozun was inked to an entry-level deal.

2010-11: Kozun skated in 73 of 80 games for the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs in his first pro season and was tied for third on the team with 23 goals. He added 25 assists and was +4 with 48 PMs as the Monarch’s finished second in the Atlantic Division. In the Monarchs’ seven-game, first-round playoff series with eventual Calder Cup champion Binghamton he scored 1 goal with 3 assists and was +2 with 2 PMs.

2011-12: Kozun was the second-leading scorer for Kings AHL affiliate Manchester in his second pro season. He scored 20 goals with 26 assists and was minus-three with 58 penalty minutes in 74 games for the Monarchs. Manchester finished second in the Atlantic Division and lost to Norfolk three games to one in a first round playoff series. Kozun scored 1 goal with 1 assist and was plus-two with 2 penalty minutes in three playoff games; missing game three due to an unspecified injury.

2012-13: Kozun was the second-leading scorer for Kings AHL affiliate in Manchester in his third season with the Monarchs. He scored 26 goals with 30 assists in 74 games and was +12 with 52 penalty minutes. Manchester finished third in the Atlantic Division and lost to Springfield in a first round playoff series. Kozun had 2 assists and was an even plus/minus in four playoff games. He was with the Kings during the NHL playoffs but did not appear in any games. Kozun was re-signed to a one-year contract by the Kings as a restricted free agent in June 2013.

Talent Analysis

Small and elusive with great skating skills. Kozun's competitiveness and offensive skills keep him on the ice despite large and more physical competition. Despite his size detractors Kozun has been a consistent near 50-point player in the AHL for the past three seasons.

Future

Kozun is getting to the point where he has to make the transition out of the AHL and into the NHL. Despite the everlasting concern with his size, Kozun has been a consistent leader and contributor with the Monarchs. At age 23 you have to figure his time for the NHL might be nearing, and he will have a shot in the 2013-14 season. If he is not kept on the NHL roster after camp, look for him to make at least few mid-season appearances depending on injuries and such. If not, Kozun might be destined to be one of those undersized AHL players who never makes the jump to the NHL despite the good numbers.

Kozun was dealt by the Los Angeles Kings to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Andrew Crescenzi in January of 2014.

Photo: Defenseman Cody Donaghey is one of five prospects representing the Toronto Maple Leafs in the CHL and USHL. Donaghey was signed as a free agent in September. (courtesy of Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs have four prospects playing in Canadian junior hockey during the 2014-15 season and one in the USHL. All of the prospects playing at the CHL level are signed to NHL entry-level contracts with the Leafs, and will play in their minor pro system in 2015-16.

The 2014 NHL preseason is now in the books with the 30 NHL clubs now focusing on the start of the 2014-15 regular season that begins on Wednesday night. The final weekend of preseason action provided a few notable NHL prospect performances, but the real test for these young players begins in two days. Read more»

Photo: Defenseman Derek Forbort, the Kings 15th overall pick in 2010, is skating in his rookie pro season with the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs (courtesy of Fred Kfoury/Icon SMI)

With the Manchester Monarchs losing four incredibly key players to NHL call-ups, you would expect that the team would struggle this year with a lack of scoring or depth. However, with several new players and old role players stepping up, the Monarchs have remained an incredibly competitive hockey team and sit atop the AHL's Eastern Conference.